Picnic Tips: Creative Ways to Serve Food

Company Picnic Season is in full swing!

Here at Faulkner's Ranch we are experts on throwing the perfect company picnic and we have plenty of picnic planning ideas for those of you in the Kansas City area.

That is why we have compiled all of our tips and tricks into this bonus series:

Picnic Planning Tips!

So far we’ve shared with you all about how to 

Beat the Heat at Your Company Picnic

and given you the lowdown on 

What To Bring to Your Company Picnic.

We’ve also discussed some very important

Picnic Food Safety Tips.

Now that you know all about how to keep your food safe, let’s talk about the fun ways that you can serve it!

Who says that you have to use just plain old plates to serve your food? The ways that you serve food at your company picnic can let your company’s creativity shine though.

See below for some of the fun ways that you can serve your picnic meal!

1.  Frisbees

Serving your food on a frisbee has three huge benefits!  It starts out as a plate, turns into a game, and ends up as a party favor! Nothing like getting more bang for your buck.

2. Buckets and Pails

These are great for adding that rustic vibe to your party.  Just make sure that they are sanitized before any food is placed in them.

3.  Mason Jars

Just like the frisbees, these act as an awesome party favor at the end of the day!  They also serve as a unique way to store utensils.

4. Cones

Whether they be paper cones or actual ice cream cones, cones are an excellent way to serve snacks and appetizers.  Plus, they are easy to carry around!

5.  Pre-Made Veggie Cups

These treats not only look cute, but they are super functional as well! Just fill the bottom of a cup with dressing and place slices of veggies in it for a snack on the go!

6.  Using the Food Itself

Wanna get really creative! Carve a watermelon to use as a fruit bowl or carve one out to use as a drink dispenser! Your guests will be very impressed at this extra creativity!

We hope that you enjoyed these helpful picnic tips!

If you are interested in booking a picnic at Faulkner's Ranch or would like to learn more about what we offer at our Company Picnics, click here!

Have a wonderful day!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Happy Father's Day!

Here's to all of the great dads that make our lives so wonderful!

Happy Father's Day,

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's Ranch

Picnic Tips: Food Safety

Company Picnic Season is just around the corner!

Here at Faulkner's Ranch we are experts on throwing the perfect company picnic and we have plenty of picnic planning ideas for those of you in the Kansas City area.

That is why we have compiled all of our tips and tricks into this bonus series:

Picnic Planning Tips!

So far we’ve shared with you all about how to 

Beat the Heat at Your Company Picnic

and given you the lowdown on 

What To Bring to Your Company Picnic.

Now we want to talk about something that is very important:

Picnic Food Safety Tips.

While the idea of a potluck may be fun, there are many benefits to having food that is supplied by a licensed and insured caterer.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration points out:

Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. But these warm weather events also present opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. As food heats up in summer temperatures, bacteria multiply rapidly. To protect yourself, your family, and friends from foodborne illness during warm-weather months, safe food handling when eating outdoors is critical.

One very common food-borne illness is Salmonella.

The chart below illustrates it's causes and symptoms.

Image Via

Let's just say, it's not fun at all! 

However, food borne illnesses can be prevented.
Here are some measures that you can take to make sure that your guests stay safe:

1.  Make the grocery store your last stop before the picnic.  If you leave perishable items in your car while it is hot, you increase the chances of bacteria multiplying. 

2.  Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Do not keep cold foods at room temperature for more than two hours (one hour if it is hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Throw out the food if this is the case.

3.  Be extremely cautious when cooking with meat.  Make these items the same day as your picnic.  Thaw frozen meat by putting it in the refrigerator.  And never put cooked meat back on the same plate it was on when it was raw.

4.  Thoroughly wash fruits and veggies, as well as any countertops that they sit on.

When preparing salads, fruit tends to get mushy or turn brown if you cut it up the night before. 

If it is an absolute must, squeeze lemon juice over your cut-up fruit. It helps the fruit retain its natural coloring and slows down the browning process. Remember to keep the fruit refrigerated after cutting.

5.  But by far the easiest way to avoid all of the hassle and risk serving contaminated food, is to to save yourself a work and have your company picnic catered by certified professionals.  

While the list above can get pretty lengthy, you don’t have to worry about it when you have a company picnic at Faulkner’s Ranch!  We have thought ahead and taken care of all of that for you.  All you have to do is come dressed to have some fun and we’ll provide everything that you need from extra water to horseshoes to shady areas!

So give us a call today and book your company picnic or visitour website for more information.

Have a great day ya’ll and we hope to see you out at the ranch soon!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner’s